T. Vandamme MD, PhD

Highlights of the 21^st annual European Neuroendocrine Tumour Society (ENETS) Conference

SUMMARY

During the ENETS Conference, the NETTER-2 trial was again in the spotlight and is shifting [177Lu]Lu-DOTATATE PRRT to the first-line treatment setting of patients with advanced, well-differentiated grade 2 and grade 3 gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumours (NET). Nuclear medicine treatment for NET is now intensively focusing on alpha-emitting peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT). Adding immunotherapy to angiogenesis inhibition for NET is again a disappointing story, and all eyes are now set on the CAR T-cell technology to stimulate anti-tumour immune responses. Delta-like ligand 3 is an inhibitory Notch ligand selectively and highly expressed on the cell surface of small cell lung cancer and neuroendocrine carcinoma, and appears to be a promising target for bispecific T-cell engager therapy. In this report, the most important headlines will be discussed, with comments on the clinical relevance of the different studies.

(BELG J MED ONCOL 2024;18(4):164–75)

Highlights in gastrointestinal cancers

SUMMARY

The European Society of Medical Oncology (ESMO) annual meeting, which took place in Madrid, featured important clinical updates in cancer treatment and research. This article summarises the takeaways for the gastrointestinal oncology community.

(Belg J Med Oncol 2023;17(8):319–22)

Highlights from the European Neuroendocrine Tumour Society congress

SUMMARY

The 2023 edition of the European Neuroendocrine Tumour Society (ENETS) congress was held in Vienna between 22^nd and 24^th March. This article aims to provide an overview of the most remarkable findings and insights presented during this congress.

(BELG J MED ONCOL 2023;17(4):139–49)

Highlights in gastrointestinal cancer

The European Society of Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress 2022 was held in Paris, France, between the 9^th and 13^th of September 2022. The main goal of this overview is to highlight the most relevant findings in the field of digestive oncology that could impact daily clinical practice. First, the upper gastrointestinal tract tumours will be discussed, followed by an overview of the congress highlights related to cancers of the lower gastrointestinal tract.

(Belg J Med Oncol 2022;16(8):412–20)

Highlights of the European Neuroendocrine Tumour Society Congress

SUMMARY

The first World NET Forum brought together leading scientists in the neuroendocrine tumour (NET) field to present their cutting-edge research to inspire other scientists and clinicians. This meeting focused mainly on models in NET research, NET tumour biology, as well as therapeutic and diagnostic advances. This article discusses some of the most relevant and promising studies.

(BELG J MED ONCOL 2022;16(6):310–22)

Highlights in digestive oncology

SUMMARY

The 2022 ASCO Annual Meeting was held in Chicago, USA, between the 3^rd and 7^th of June 2022. The main goal of this overview is to highlight the most striking abstracts in the field of digestive oncology for daily clinical practice. First, the upper gastro-intestinal tract tumours will be discussed, followed by an overview of the congress highlights related to cancers of the lower gastro-intestinal tract.

(Belg J Med Oncol 2022;16(5):223–8)

Capecitabine and folic acid: A lethal combination?

SUMMARY

5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) and its prodrug capecitabine are widely used and generally well-tolerated chemotherapeutic agents. Although leucovorin, a derivative of folic acid, is routinely used to potentiate the effect of 5-FU, there seems to be little to no awareness about a similar interplay between capecitabine and folic acid, a commonly used supplement. This study presents a case in which a high concentration of folic acid led to fatal capecitabine-related toxicity, with the aim to raise awareness on the interaction between folic acid supplementation and 5-FU/capecitabine treatment toxicity.

(BELG J MED ONCOL 2022;16(2):74–8)